Lading brace



5 Shee-ts-Sheet 1 G. C. GEORGE LADING BRACE 'Filed March 17, 1942 Feb. 4l, 1944.

G. c. GEORGE y .2,340,374

y l LADING BRAGE 'Y Filed naz-cn 17, 1942 s sneetssnpet 2 Glenn aa'e'ye Feb. 1^, 1944. G. c. GEORGE LADING BRACE Filed March 1'7, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 a device of this kind general, it may projection sure upon the lading may Patented Feb. 1, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE .amari l j LT .AmNa simon Glenn "C: G feorge, QmahaQVNebr. .Y nppueaupn Maren 17, 1942, Serial No. 435,093

This invention relates' to bracing systems for ladingslin freight cars, that is to say, assemblies arranged to be organized in a reightcar in such a Way as to bear against the lading and prevent the latter from shifting in the car.

Numerous assemblies for the same purpose .have been heretofore proposed, and the present ,invention is in the nature Aby means of animprovement of which a great many serious-diniculties and objectionable features o fthe previous assemblies are eliminated. There are certain'denite requirements that must be met in if the device is to be useful, and additional requirements must be met if the device is to be safe, convenient and effective. In be said that a lading brace must be of such a character as to not encroachupon the useful lading space of the car, either by the of attachments or xtures into such space, or by requiring a large amount of room 4for mounting and dismounting, or assembly.

Additionally, the device must not comprise permanent fixtures attached to the 'car in such a Vvvay as to block any portion oi the lading doors.

To render the application of a lading brace practical, it should'be capable of-being forced against the lading withconsiderable force, so that presbe exerted'to force it toa permanent position and to effectively secure it 'against any sort of'motion during travel o the car. Finally, a lading brace should be of such character as to eliminatev so far as possible the danger of injuries occurring to the people who install .it and remove it.V i

The foregoing requirements are all met by the structure that forms the subject matter of this linvention. In general, the lading brace embodies rack bars that are permanently attached to the car in such positions as to be out of the lading space and outside of the. areas of thecar doors. These rack bars extend longitudinally of the car and provide means of attachment in; various longitudinal locations of a comparatively light framework that serves as the means engaging the lading to hold it against shifting; The framework itself is of a knockdown character and is of a novel arrangement that permits itto be` assembled or disassembled in a very small alleyway extending transversely of the car, so `that the use of the structure does not involve the necessary loss of a large space, such as the space required tomount and-dismount or adjust .certairn of the permanently assembled bulkhead type of... braces that have been. previous1v1-prf posed. The top of ,the frame. asindcated above,

ment of all refrigerator freight l-latching device is soarrangedthat it enables the f respective cross i section of a rack bar members 2oia`ims. rc1. ros-@facet .is engaged Withthe rack bars.V The bottom of the frameqisprovided witha type of latching devicev that permits engagement with the ioor rack that forms a standard element of equip cars; and the bottom portion of a rameto'be moved towards the lading by a lever and thereby be forced 'againstL the lading, and to be latched in position when the bottomjhas been orcedto its correct position. The frame also comprises cross elements that are lremovably mounted upon upright members of the frame in a novelway, the elements -engaging fthe lading at spaced points throughout its vertical extent.`

- In the accompanying drawings:

a fragmentary, vertical, transverse freight Vcar having the assembly embodying the invention mounted therein.

Figure2 is a sectional View online 2-2 of Figure 1.

-Figure `3 is a detailed viewshowing one form of connection of vertical members and horizontal that extend longitudinally oi Figure 1 is the car. Figure- 4 is a sectional view on line 4- 4 of Figure 3. 1 M,

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional. view show ing in plan the floorrack-engaging elements.

Figure 6 isa sectionalview on line 6-6 o Figure 5 Figure -7 isa detailed view showing the means for mounting transverse lading-engaging bars onthe uprights. Figure 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 7.-

Figure 9 is a vertical, sectional, detailed View .showing va `modied connection between vertical j'uprights and longitudinal, horizontal rack bar members.

yFigure `10 is a sectional view on line lll-l0 t Figure 1 3- is an elevation showing the support- ,ing arrangement for the device.

Figure 14l is a sectional view on line Figure 13.

vFigure 15 is anenlarged 4sectional view similar '.60 Figure 14,'showing a modification. Figure 16 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, sec- Y Vor retracted to release them.

tional view illustrating the manner in which the brace may be forced into position against vthe lading in a freight car.

Figure 17 is a diagrammatic view taken on a vertical plane extended longitudinally of a freight car and indicating a method of bracing lading to which the assembly is adapted.

Describing thedrawings in detail, and referring first to lFigures 1 and 2: The side walls of a freight car `are designated 25, and ture is designated 2l. The car is provided with a licor 22 upon which iloor racks elements 23 are supported. This structure is standard in freight cars, and is illustrated diagrammatically. In Figure 2, the central portion of the car is shown, the usual central side door being indicated atg24.

The lading bracing invention includes a that are mounted to and-longitudinally of the car throughout its central portion, and towards either end als A"far as may be desirable. These elements are lsecured ldirectly against the ceiling, and their vertical eX- the doorsand above the portion of the cargo space that is vnormally used, Yit `being well known that ladingzof freight cars is so arranged that spaces are always left between lading and the top ofthe car- Thus the elements 25 doV not `interfere Vin any Way with -loading or unloading. l

Cooperatively assembled with f the llongitudinal elements 25 are upright members 26, preferably in the form of beams that lare positioned relative to the length of the car by engagement with the elements 25, and that aiorda bracing to hold the lading against movement. Y Advantageously, securing of the members y26 in adjusted is accomplished by means of plural spaced Ypin holes 2'! in the rack elements plates `28 that are secured to opposite side {surfaces of the members 26 to receive between them the elements 25. The opposed plates 28 are 4provided with a series of matching apertures 29 arranged for registration with the holes 27, so that holes 21 may be accomplished.

In order to fix the position of the bottoms of the members 25 relative to the lading, and to accomplish this fixing of position without requiring the presence of rack elements or any other 'engaging devices occupying a portion of the `useful cargo space, latching devices carried by the meinbers 2S are arranged for engagement between the bars 3i of U-shaped keepers 32 mounted upon opposite surfaces of each vertical member 26, and the iianges of which areperforated for slidable reception of latchingpins 33that may be projected between the bars 3| 'to lock the uprights,

Figures 3 to 6 'and 9l to 12 illustrate the details of the assembly Just described. Figures V3 and 4 show the upper ends of t-he 'elements 26 land 'the plates l28, secured t'o opposite sides of such elements and provided with the openings 29 through which are projected the pins 30, the lpins extending through the holes 21 of the longitudinal bars 2'5. Y Y

a ceiling strucsystem that comprises this the top of such i the ceiling 2l and extend closely adjacent the under surface of the ceiling '175 zt'ntal position upon .the shelf :4s-.as

Figures 5 and 6 show above described. Figures 9 and 10 show a modiof the uprights 2t in assembly with the bars 25. This modied form is arranged so that the assembly is securely locked against accidental displacement. Upon one side of the upright 26 is a straight plate 34 that is in every way similar to the plates 28 of Figures 3 and 4. The opposite plate 35, however, is outwardly offset above the end of the member `2t, as shown at.36, in order to provide a clearance space at 31 between the inner surface of the plate and the bar 25. The pin that is used in this assembly is illustrated in Figure 12, and comprises a shank 33, a weighted army 39 extended at right angles from ,the shank, and a locking keeper d0. In assembling this 'pin with the rest of the structure, the weighted arm 39 is turned to a horizontal position so that the keeper 40 may beinserted through the vertical opening 4| of the plate 35. When the keeper Q0 lis through the 4plate 35 and in the clearance space 31, the weight 39 is released so that Vit turns to vertical position, as shown in Figure 9, turning the keeper 40 to a horizontal -position transversely related to the opening 4|, and therefore in locking relation to the plate 35. A chain 42 lmay be attached to the plate 35, as shown in vFigure 11.', and secured to the pin to prevent itsloss. Y

As illustrated in `Figure 1, two of the members 28 are arranged transversely spaced relation in the car, and these members vare adjustable 4longitudinally of the car in accordance with the arrangement 'of the lading. For bracing contact with the lading, horizontal elements 43 are supported upon the elements 2S. Thesehori'zontal members are in the-'form of beams and are mountable upon the ymerr'ibe'rs 25 lin adjusted position, this being preferably-accomplished by pin and-socket assemblies, the members 26 having sockets "44 in which pins 45, carre'd by the vmembers 4:3, vmay fbe removed and mounted. Preferably, the. form of}pin shown in Figures? and 8fis employed, Vthis comprising a staple or eye 46 secured in the 4upper edge of the pin '41. that has an end looped staple 45 upon 'which it is pivoted. the 'sockets 44 are inclined inwardly and 'down'- wardly, so that engagement of the pins 41 is secure. The flexibilityV ofthe swivel connection between the vmember 45 'and the pin '4-1 4provides for ready mounting of the elements 43 by insertion of the pins 41 into the holes 44, but has another advantage which will loeV described late-r in connection with Figure 17. Y Y Figures 13 to I5 show in detail'the mounting bymean's 'of which the bracing assembly above described is secured to a freight car, and which also `provides for convenient support of. the verti- `cal elements 26 fand horizontal elements i3-when Athey are not inactual use in the car. This-support comprises essentially a shelf 48 exten-ded iongitudina-lly of the `car and projecting horizontally from the side wall, such shelf beingv of limited width and located adjacent .the 'ceiling and above the top of the car door.V A rod 49 `is supported in brackets 50 upon the edge "of the shelf 48 Tand i'n 'spaced relation to such edge, and upon the bar '49 are slidable keepers "51 to "which the vertical elements 2li Vare secured bych'a'ins `v52. The chains are yof k-sllilici-'ent length to 4permit 'the uprights tO-'b'e manipulated i'1`1`5r`nountin`g and dismontg, and to permit them to be ladfin a hori- -indicated in The transverse In Figure 15, which discloses a modified shelf assembly, the shelf is designated 55 and` comprises angle brackets 55 and 51 between which the shelf is supported. A lip isv provided at, 58 by a strip secured along the edge of the shelf to hold elements 26 o1' 43 that maybe placed upon it. In this assembly, the travelers 59 are slidable along. a strip 60 that is secured to the upright porti-on 6| of the angle brackets 56 and 51, and the upright members 26 of thebracing may be secured toV the travelers 59l by chains indicated fragmentarily I-atl2. Y

l uprightv elements 26,- having` the transverse elements 43 secured in proper posi- 'tion to engage both overlying and underlying boxes, designated 63, are shown being rforced into "tight engagement with the stacked boxes.

In Figure 16, the

In this gure, the top of the upright has been correctly positioned by engaging the pin in one of the holes 21 of the bar 25 and through opposite openings 29y of the plate 38. This pin engagement provides a pivot point for the element 26, which may swing along a vertical plane in directions extending longitudinally of the car. The pins 33 of the bottom-latching member are in withdrawn position, so that the bottom of the upright 26 may move over the cross bars 3l of the floor rack as the upright is swung. A transverse element 64 is mounted upon the rear of the uprights 26 and adjacent their bottoms. This transverse element 64 provides a thrust member against which may be exerted the thrust of a lever 65, the lower end of which is inserted between two bars 3| of the floor rack to provide a fulcrum, and then thrust in the direction of the arrow to move the lower ends of the uprights 26 toward the lading, thereby forcing the transverse members 43 against the lading with relatively great pressure. When the swinging motion of the assembly comprising the uprights 26 and the transverse member 64 has progressed to a point at which the pins 33 reach the slot 66 in the floor rack, the pins are thrust into the slot, and thereby the assembly is locked in engaged position. This method of mounting the assembly and forcing it into position permits a high pressure to be exerted upon the lading to compress it, whereby it may be securely fixed against movement during transit. The pin arrangement for securing the lower ends of the uprights in this forced position permits ready fixing of the assembly in its compressed position, and also provides for ready removal when unloading is necessary, and assures that such removal may be made without damage either to the bracing assembly or to the lading. The combination of the spaced holes 21 of the bars 25, and the more closely spaced openings 29 of the plates 38 carried by the uprights provides for a flne adjustment of the position of the uprights 26 along the car, so that, regardless of variations in the longitudinal dimensions of the lading, a correct positioning of the uprights 26 of the transverse members 43 may always be accomplished. Elongation of the openings 29 permits the uprights 26 to ride upwardly while being forced into position,

. preventing jamming; againstythe floor rack during their swinging movement.

In Figure 1-'1 is shown a method'of arranging lading when the lcar is not completely lled, and to which `the system herein disclosed is applifcable. fnumber of boxes 63 is such that it is lnot possible to stack them in rows having a uniform In this instance, it is assumed 'that the number of boxes in height. To provide bracing for all of the boxes in a'lading'of this kind, it is customary to pile the boxes higher at the ends lof the cars; and, towards the center ofthe car where the bracing is located, to insert spacersy -in the Itiers of boxes so that as the stacks decrease in height towards `the centerof the car, an overlapping is provided which willbracethe stacks nearer the ends of the car. Thus the end stacks `of Figurel7 are shown as vcontainingfour boxes, and the more central stacks as containing three boxes. The central stack `that is ady jacent the first four-.box stack contains spacers by mits the transverse bracing members 43 to loev used` as the spacers by ,meansv of which` the upper limit of height of a stack of boxes mayberaised. If pins are rigidly extendedfrom the Sides ofsuch members, they cannot be used for this purpose because they will pierce or damage the article with which they are in contact. By attaching the pins to the edge of the members, however, such damage is avoided, as the pins 41 may be swung to occupy the space that is between members used for this purpose.

Referring more generally to the assembly, it will :be noted that the supporting structure shown in Figures 13 to 15 is entirely outside of the useful cargo space of the car, being adjacent the side walls of the car and close to the ceiling. It is also located above the level of the top of the door, so as not to interfere with loading or unloading of the car, even when large objects that approach the height of the car door are loaded.

It will be appreciated from inspection of the drawings that the assembly is inexpensive since the parts are all simple and easily manufactured-comprising straight bars, pins, and plates that may be made from standard structural :bar shapes. Furthermore, all of the elements of the assembly are light in weight, thereby eliminating the very real danger that is present to workmen engaged in loading cars when heavy bulkheads or other weighty assembly must be handled. This is particularly important in view of the provision for supporting the disassembled elements in overhead position upon the shelves 48 or 55.

There is a further important advantage in this assembly, which arises partially from the demountable character of the transverse bars 43, and partially from the cooperative securing arrangements for the tops and bottoms of the uprights 26. Referring to Figure 16, it will be seen that each of the uprights 26 may be secured to one of the bars 25 in a space that is very narrow in directions extended longitudinally of the car, since only a very small pivotal movement of the bar is necessary to place it in engaging position relative to the bars 25. Similarly, only a very narrow space is necessary to mount the cross elements 43 upon previously mounted uprights 26. When the cross elements 43 have been mounted, only a very limited space is required to force the assembly into position by the lever means illustrated in Figure I6. The same considerations apply to disassemlbling' the brace. This small space requirement is 'very important because it necessitates only a very narrow alleyway being left at the door and between portions of lading lying forward and aft of the door. In certain previously devised bracing assemblies, pivotingr at the roof of a permanently assembled bulkhead 'has been required. This has required the leaving of a space suflicient for swinging of a strucl ture of practically 'the height of the car, and

supported rack bars extending longitudinally of the car, each being vertically alined with respect 'to one of the pairs of rows of openings in said floor and each provided `with a row of spaced openings each alinedA with the openings in the other of s'aid bars, including -a frame structure 'composed of a pair of uprights and a plurality `of interconnecting horizontal bars, a pair of spaced'opposed plates secured to the upper end of eac-h upright and having upwardlyextending -f-ree end portions between which an associated ceiling supported rack bar is' 'adapted to be received,V the upper free end portions of 'each pair of plates being o'f substantially the Width of the distance between any adjacentpair of openings in the rack lbar and `each having a row of spaced vertically extending slots alined with similar slots in the opposed one of the plates of a pair and adapted for selective alinement with anyone of the openings yof the associated rack bar, means extending through each pair of plates and its cooperating rack bar to connect the same for relative pivotal and vertical sliding movement, and means mounted on the lower end of each oi the uprights for selective engagement in anyone oi the spaced 'openings in the car floor.

2. A 'lading brace assembly in accordance with claim A`1, `in which the means mounted on the lower end of each upright includes a pair of spaced U-shaped brackets, the Vhorizontally extending free legs of each ybracket. Veach having a row of spaced openings alined with the row of spaced openings in the opposed leg, and a latch pin extending -tlirough each pair of legs of each U-shaped bracket and having a part thereof engageable in any one lof the openings in the floor of the car.

GLENN C. GEORGE. 

